[Tuck4Bama]

The state of Alabama has one of the most talented group of prospects in years, with Scout.com ranking 11 players as four-star prospects and one a five-star pick.

Four of the top 10 rated prospects are from the Mobile area, and coach Nick Saban was very astute when conducting a coaching clinic in the Port City immediately following the A-Day game.

The University of Alabama has already received verbal commitments from nine in-state prospects who are all solid with their commitments: Michael Williams (Pickens County), Brad Smelley (American Christian Academy), John Michael Boswell (Tuscaloosa County), Wesley Neighbors (Huntsville), Ivan Matchett (St. Paul’s), Undra Billingsley (Woodlawn), Brandon Lewis (Pleasant Grove), Jermaine Preyear (Davidson) and Courtney Upshaw (Eufaula).

The state’s top prospect, Foley’s Julio Jones, is also considered the nation’s top wide receiver. Mountain Brook’s Tyler Love and Anniston’s Antoine McClain both rank among the top 12 offensive tackles in the country. Auburn’s Dee Finley is the nation’s third ranked safety and Gadsden City’s Jerrell Harris ranks as a top-five weakside linebacker.

Scout.com ranked the top 35 prospects in Alabama and was discussed in our column last week, which you can view by visiting TideSports.com.

Here is an in-depth analysis of the top 10 prospects in Alabama.

No. 1: Julio Jones

Foley, wide receiver (6-4, 212)

Jones is rated a five-star receiver and the nation’s No.1 receiver for the class of 2008. He has tremendous athletic ability to go along with his soft hands. He will catch anything thrown in his direction, recording 75 receptions for 1,301 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2006.

Jones has incredible power, speed and determination. His 40-inch vertical jump is equally impressive. Jones is the “Andre Smith" recruit of the year. Alabama is considered the front-runner for his signature, but the Tide faces stiff competition from Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma and USC.

Jones is not expected to announce his college decision until close to or on National Signing Day in February.

No. 2: Dee Finley

Auburn, safety (6-3, 205)

Finley increased his stock dramatically after his performance at the Scout.com Southeast Elite Camp in Atlanta May 26. He is rated a four-star prospect and a member of the Scout.com National Hot 100. Finley’s early commitment to Florida came as a big surprise, but he may take visits to Alabama, Auburn and LSU before signing on the dotted line in February.

Finley is a big safety prospect who could grow into the linebacker position on the next level. He is a punishing tackler with great instincts and plays the ball well in coverage. Finley recorded 50 solo tackles, eight interceptions and broke up 15 passes during his junior season. He also added a punt return for a touchdown, recorded seven catches for 100 yards and two more touchdowns on offense.

No. 3: Jerrell Harris

Gadsden City, weakside linebacker (6-3, 215)

Harris is one of the best prospects to come out of Northeast Alabama since the days of Brodie Croyle and Carnell Williams. The four-star prospect showcased his talent at the Scout.com Southeast Elite Camp. Harris has a tremendous blend of athleticism, speed and vision recording 130 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks during his junior season.

The teams in the running for his signature include Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia Tech and USC.

No. 4: Tyler Love

Mountain Brook, offensive tackle (6-7, 285)

Love is a mammoth prospect projecting at left or right tackle on the next level. He has great balance with tremendous strength. He is a student of the game and knows how to read defenders.

The four-star offensive lineman is one of the best in Alabama in the past five years. He holds over 40 scholarship offers and lists favorites as Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Oklahoma. His parents are Alabama graduates, and the Tide is the team to beat for his services.

No. 5: Antoine McClain

Anniston, offensive tackle (6-6, 313)

McClain is neck-and-neck with Tyler Love as the top offensive lineman in the state.

McClain demonstrated his incredible footwork and power at the Scout.com Southeast Elite Camp, and the four-star prospect is definitely a player who could make an immediate impact on any team once he arrives on campus.

McClain holds scholarship offers from schools across the Southeast, with Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee as the leading candidates.

No. 6: Burton Scott

Pritchard-Vigor, Wide receiver (5-101/2, 190)

Scott is sensational with the ball in his hands at several positions including quarterback, running back or wide receiver. He is a shut-down cornerback on the defensive side of the ball as a very ferocious hitter.

His junior campaign was impressive, rushing for 1,070 yards with 11 touchdowns, 1,059 yards passing with eight touchdowns and 12 catches for 353 yards and one touchdown. He recorded two blocked field goal attempts returning one for a touchdown and 219 yards in returns. Scott’s all-purpose yards totaled 2,701 and ended the year with 21 touchdowns. He also has a 40-inch vertical jump.

The Scout.com four-star prospect has Florida in a slight lead over Alabama, USC and Auburn.

No. 7: William Green

Hoover-Spain Park, defensive end (6-5, 20

Green is a special player who possesses a lot of speed and quickness with one of the best first steps off the edge as any prospect in the country. Green recorded 54 total tackles and eight quarterback sacks during his junior season. He finished third in the high jump for the 6A classification.

Green holds scholarship offers from coast-to-coast listing favorites as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU and Oklahoma.

No. 8: Mark Barron

Mobile-St. Paul’s, wide receiver (6-2, 205)

Barron is one of the best pure athletes in the country. He is capable of several positions on the next level including wide receiver, running back, linebacker or safety. He looks terrific with the ball in his hands and carried the ball 78 times for 785 yards in 2006. He added 23 receptions for 368 yards scoring a total of 12 touchdowns. Barron fights for extra yardage and is a smooth route runner. He is capable of making defenders miss and doesn’t mind lowering his shoulders to put a defensive player on his back.

The four-star prospect holds scholarship offers from over 20 schools including his current favorites Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and LSU. His teammate, running back Ivan Matchett, is an Alabama commitment.

No. 9: Glenn Harbin

Mobile-McGill-Toolen, Defensive end (6-6, 22

Harbin demonstrated his talent as one of best defensive ends in the country in January at the U.S. Army All-American combine in San Antonio, Texas. His size and quickness are his biggest assets. He explodes off the ball and is a tough matchup for opposing offensive linemen. Harbin has great moves and istincts and is another player who could make an immediate impact as a freshman.

The four-star prospect recorded 75 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 11 sacks during his junior season. Harbin is also recruited for baseball (right field) with the possibility of playing both sports on the next level. Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Oklahoma are main contenders for his signature.

No. 10: Courtney Upshaw

Eufaula, Defensive end (6-21/2, 225)

Upshaw is a hybrid-type defensive end who could move back in a 4-3 front. He has incredible explosion off the line of scrimmage and has tremendous quickness. His speed is another strong point with great acceleration and a big hitter.

Upshaw recorded 96 tackles and three interceptions in 2006. He has given his pledge to the University of Alabama and is a solid commitment.

Visit TideSports.com for Andrew Bone’s recruiting coverage. Reach Andrew Bone at abone@scout.com.

[Stoney]

Is Courtney Upshaw any relation to Gene Upshaw that played with the Raiders?